HISTORYOF THEBREEDWorld War 2 was very hard on everybody, including dog breeds.Most were let loose to survive on their own. These dogs interbred over time and some were adopted by American soldiers to keep them company and be a reminder of home.Possible breeds (that could survive on their own during the war and actually existed in that part of northern France at the time) that would have contributed to the creation of the Kromfohrlander include Briquet Vendeen, English White Terrier (the foundation of Parson Russell and Fox Terriers), Pyrenean Shepherd, Schnauzer and Brittany and/or Kooikerhundje, which would have made the smooth variety possible.Through the generations, the natural instincts to hunt or herd were subdued and thus a breed with moderate to very little hunting instinct and the deep loyalty and sensitivity of a much smaller companion dog was developed.The Kromfohrlander (Krome-fore-lahn-dair) is a medium-sized dog breed developed in Germany in the 1940's and 1950's after World War 2. It is the only breed of dog descended from a beloved US military troop mascot. The foundation dog "Peter" (also called "Original Peter"), a scruffy farm dog, was found by US ground soldiers as a stray in northern France.During WW2, USA President Franklin Roosevelt brought his dogs (an Irish Setter and a Scottish Terrier) with him everywhere he went (considered an unnecessary expense by his detractors). Soldiers interpreted this as a 'green light' to adopt their own therapy animals at camp and in the field. Stray dogs, cats, chickens, goats, donkeys, snakes and monkeys were adopted by soldiers all over the world to comfort them during the stress of war. Peter served as one of these valuable 'Morale Builder, First Class' mascots during the liberation of France.Most military mascots were dogs and cats (or their puppies/kittens) that had been abandoned by local civilians, who could barely afford to feed themselves during the war. In rural areas, terriers, hounds and herding type dogs were most common , breeds that are adaptable, tough and able to fend for themselves. Peter was the likely product of those types of dogs.Peter's journeys with his troop brought him across the border into Germany at war's end. Nobody knows why or how Peter left his 'boys' but it is likely that he'd had enough of military service and he went AWOL ('away without leave,' in military lingo).Back to being a stray, Peter was found by local German men who were about to kill him but he was lucky to be was rescued by Ilse Shleifenbaum, wife of a lawyer in Seigen, Germany in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Peter's journeys with his troop brought him across the border into Germany at war's end. Nobody knows why or how Peter left his 'boys' but it is likely that he'd had enough of military service and he went AWOL ('away without leave,' in military lingo).Back to being a stray, Peter was found by local German men who were about to kill him but he was lucky to be was rescued by Ilse Shleifenbaum, wife of a lawyer in Seigen, Germany in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

So many recognized dog breeds had been decimated by wartime abandonment and faced extinction. A few were saved with the hard work of dedicated breeders using the few breed representatives that were left. A country-wide reconstruction began in a Germany with a new attitude and direction and a pride in its culture as it began to earn back the free world's trust.When Peter bred with a local black & white fox terrier named 'Fifi,' the puppies, 'Shaggy' and 'Witch,' were identical in type, size, coat and pattern and looked and acted like their father. Ilse was inspired to develop a companion-only breed from these remarkable puppies. Germany would be proud to claim this nice, sweet, loyal companion dog as its own.

Ilse Schleifenbaum with early Kromfohrlanders

Ilse was committed to creating a quality companion breed of consistency, long life, good health and fine temperament and worked diligently for this goal for many years with similar dogs. She named the breed for the local landscape ‘krom fohr’ ('crooked furrow'), which (she has said) she thought was a catchy name! The international federation of dog breed clubs, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), rewarded her hard work with full approval of the breed in August 1955.The breed was founded in Finland in the early 1970's and Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Norway followed. Some were imported to France in the late 2000's. The first Kromis in the USA were imported in the mid-1990's.The breed's name is spelled Kromfohrlander in English speaking countries, Kromfohrländer (or Kromfohrlaender) in German speaking countries (where the plural is called Kromfohrländern).Pronunciations range from 'Krome-for-lahn-der' to 'Krom-fer-land-er.' Nicknames are Kromi, Lander and Landeri (Finland).

Some early Kromfohrlanders, owned by Ilsa Schleifenbaum

Crest of North Westphalia state.

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